Manweller submits resignation

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 19, 2018, 7:44 p.m.

OLYMPIA – Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Cle Elum, makes a point during floor debate in February. Under pressure from his caucus, Manweller officially resigned his seat Wednesday after winning re-election in November in response to allegations of sexual misconduct which he has denied. (Jim Camden / The Spokesman-Review)

Embattled State Rep. Matt Manweller made good on his promise to give up his seat if re-elected, sending an official letter of resignation to Gov. Jay Inslee.

The three-term Republican lawmaker from Cle Elum was accused earlier in the year of having a sexual relationship with with a former student while he was a high school teacher in Idaho and she was 17. Central Washington University, where he taught political science, had previously fired him after an investigation into reports of improper behavior with young women.

Manweller has denied the accusations and filed a claim against the university. When the report of the relationship with the former Idaho student surfaced in the fall, the House Republican caucus called for him to resign; Manweller refused but said if he was re-elected in the general election, he’d resign so Republicans could name a replacement.

He won with 61 percent of the vote. His resignation is effective Jan. 14, the start of the 2019 session.

Picking a replacement now falls to county commissioners in his legislative district, which includes Kittitas, Grant, Lincoln and Yakima counties.